Kirk Cousins' benching by the Atlanta Falcons has set off a considerable wave of speculation about his future with the team and the direction of the franchise. Once seen as the path to playoff contention, Cousins now finds himself on the sidelines as rookie Michael Penix Jr. prepares to take the helm. This transition follows Atlanta's lackluster performance during the season, pushing them to make this pivotal decision as they continue their playoff pursuits.
After agreeing to a significant four-year, $180 million contract at the beginning of the season, expectations for Cousins were sky-high. Despite managing to lead the team through initial phases of the season, injuries began to take their toll. Particularly, injuries to his shoulder and elbow sidelined his effectiveness, diminishing the promise he showed at the beginning of the season when he threw for seven touchdowns over two games prior to the Saints matchup. Unfortunately, following this, he only managed one touchdown against nine interceptions during the subsequent five games, raising alarms for the coaching staff and fans alike.
Against this backdrop, it became apparent why coach Arthur Smith turned to Penix. The rookie had not only been getting valuable first-team reps but had also been praised for his readiness weeks before the official decision. "Penix was ready to take the reins from the jump," said Albert Breer from SI.com. His consistent practice habits and dedication during training periods suggested he could compete effectively, and the team's loss to the Raiders solidified the decision to make the switch.
When the announcement was made on Tuesday, it marked the end of Cousins’ time as the starting quarterback, at least for now. Penix Jr.'s first start is set against the Giants, giving him the opportunity to showcase his abilities, particularly as Atlanta is fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Falcons' current record stands at 7-7, placing them just one game behind the NFC South-leading Buccaneers. Notably, the team previously secured two victories over Tampa Bay, giving them the head-to-head advantage. Penix's versatility with both arm strength and mobility could provide the spark the Falcons need as they prepare for the concluding weeks of the regular season.
With Cousins now relegated to the bench, his future with the Falcons hangs on shaky ground. Reports indicate discussions around several potential outcomes, including the possibility of his outright release. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the most likely scenario will be to cut ties before Cousins' guaranteed $10 million roster bonus kicks in due this coming March. This decision looms large, considering the team is also obligated to pay him $27.5 million for the 2025 season. If Cousins were to accept this fate, it would signify the end of his stint with Atlanta — something both sides seem to be edging closer to.
Alternatively, as Cousins weighs his options following the season, another potential pathway includes retirement. At 37, walking away would mean forfeiting significant money, which has undoubtedly accumulated over his stellar NFL career — nearly $300 million from contracts to date. His professional choices are complicated by his experience and the gravity attached to retirement, especially after competing at the highest level for so many years. "Cousins is expected to take about a month to weigh his options after the season is over," reports NFL Network.
The discussions about whether the Falcons could retain Cousins as backup linger around the organization. Hiring him as insurance remains on the table, particularly gaining value from his extensive experience, especially with young quarterbacks like Penix preparing to step up. This mindset of retaining Cousins for depth would position them to navigate the potential bumps on Penix's rookie path, but only if the financials align, which at present seems unlikely.
While thoughts of trade are also theoretically on the table, they hold little weight considering Cousins possesses a no-trade clause. That would leave free agency as the only viable route for other teams to pursue his services if he were to part ways with Atlanta. The financial implications are yet another detail at play, harking back to concerns about his guaranteed salary versus the value he could bring to the table with another organization.
For now, all eyes are on how Michael Penix Jr. manages his first game as the starting quarterback, with every game leading up to Cousins' future serving as another chapter of their intertwining narratives. The Falcons play the Commanders next Sunday before wrapping up the season against the Panthers — both games, pivotal for determining their playoff fates, could also influence Cousins' next steps. While the immediate focus remains on this season's playoffs, the broader narrative concerning Kirk Cousins' future will loom large as the offseason approaches.
